Friday Meeting
Friday 5th of August coincided with the first Friday of Ramadan. Due to this, five people who had gathered for Friday meeting discussed the topic ‘Spiritual Growth’ and the importance of fasting and praying in Ramadan for getting to such an end.
Noor Navayee pointed to the fact emphasized in all religions, that is the growth of human being spiritually and the meaning and goal of life. According to his saying we generally live to get perfection and grow in our eternal self. All of our life is instrumental for this, but some particular actions have been instructed by religions whose significance is more to help us specially bolster this growth. As we normally live, relate to people and perform our daily life, we grow, besides doing what we have to do for the continuation of our earthly life. In worships, ordered by religions, despite considering the earthly importance of the worship the main purpose is our spiritual growth. This is the case with fasting of Muslims in Ramadan. In this month, they do not eat, drink and do certain other activities. If we look closer, they have to deny the fulfillment of their material needs during the day. Besides, they have been directed to help others, serve others, and do other prayers during the day and night hours. They have been asked to deny their earthly needs so to highlight their spiritual needs. We are generally immersed in our daily life, in routines, in business, in study, etc. and forget what we need spiritually. We need to remind ourselves of this need, that we have to grow in our character in our permanent being, and our life on earth is just an opportunity for this growth. Ramadan is such a time. Many people count other benefits as a result of fasting; however, all those benefits are secondary. For instance fasting may be useful for our health, but it is a secondary advantage of fasting. Ramadan is a time when we have to refresh and remember the way ahead and clear our conscience for the whole year so not lose sight in our journey of life.
Mr. Stanekzay also emphasized on the needs of our spirit and religious teachings in this regard. He said that every thing taught by religion is aiming at this. We have to do good deeds so to build our permanent home; the home where we go when we die.
Arif Sheva expressed himself by saying that fasting is really a challenge in these long days of hot summer. On the other hand it is really rewarding:
“To tell my story, yesterday I had a long walk in down town. It took me almost all day to shop and walk in dusty streets. When I returned I almost fainted. I was numb, could not sleep and could not move. In the evening I had to move, we had guests. My father came and asked to prepare for the guest. We had khatm (collective reading in holy Koran). So I prepared things, our guests came and we all started reading Koran before the time of breaking our fast. As I was reading, I felt the blood circulating in my veins and energy generated in my body. After I read some pages, I was full of energy that did not feel hungry or thirsty until all of the guests were served. I realized one thing. There are needs on the surface; we always work hard to saturate these needs. If we deny these needs, they pressure us and drive everywhere for fulfillment. But after they face some resistance, they go away and another layer of our self becomes active. You discover another part of yourself, another kind of energy and type of consciousness. You feel happy and rewarded. You feel deep, patient and strong.”
Fayez conceded that he has heard a lot of philosophies and reasons for fasting. Fasting is said to be useful for our health. Our internal organs get rest. Those who are overweight and suffer from diabetes and other disease, Ramadan is a chance for them to change their habits. To be honest, Fayez said that he himself has not experienced the spiritual impact of fasting though he has fasted a lot. It is may be because fasting in Ramadan has become a traditional habit for us. We fast because we are socially and culturally punished if we don’t.
Ebrahimi said that this age is the age of exaggeration in everything, in eating, in drinking and everything else. I think fasting is a good chance for those of us, who are indulged in extravagance, fasting is a chance to rethink our life style. Meanwhile, fasting is a good worship. I believe it is a way to perfection. We intentionally deprive ourselves from things that we normally do for a higher purpose. We go beyond daily needs and daily life. I myself try to be for God all day and try to observe my life carefully. As a result I feel more pure, more responsible and more patient.
Conclusion: Fasting during Ramadan vacates a space in our life where God’s presence should be felt, where He can reside and rest. Ramadan changes the usual chorus of life and gives a chance for change and looking beyond the material boundaries. Ramadan is a chance to accelerate our spiritual growth.
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